Bible Verses About Marriage
The short answer
Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:25, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Ecclesiastes 4:12 are the passages most read about marriage. 1 Corinthians 13 was written to correct a quarrelling church rather than for weddings, which is part of why it works so well for a marriage under strain.
These passages are read at weddings, but most of them were written for people already in difficulty.
Where to begin
Three passages for a marriage, whether it is flourishing or tired.
Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
Biblical context
From the creation account, quoted later by Jesus in a discussion about divorce.
Selah’s reflection
Leaving and cleaving are both active. The verse describes a reordering of loyalties, not just an event.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Biblical context
Written to a divided, competitive church as a rebuke, and only later adopted as a wedding reading.
Selah’s reflection
Read as a description of daily conduct rather than romantic feeling, it is a demanding passage.
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;
Biblical context
Part of a longer passage on household relationships that opens with mutual submission in verse 21.
Selah’s reflection
The model given to husbands is self-giving. Read with verse 21, the passage is about mutual sacrifice rather than one-way authority.
Further passages
Ecclesiastes 4:12
If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Biblical context
From a passage about the practical strength of companionship, not originally about marriage.
Selah’s reflection
Often read at weddings as God being the third strand. That reading is an application rather than the text's own claim.
Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Biblical context
Instructions for Christian households and communities.
Selah’s reflection
Forgiveness is the daily machinery of any long marriage.
Song of Solomon 8:7
Many waters can’t quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.
Biblical context
From Hebrew love poetry celebrating desire and devotion between two people.
Selah’s reflection
The Bible contains a book of love poetry. Delight in a spouse is not a lesser theme.
A short prayer
God, keep us kind to each other. Where we have grown careless, make us attentive. Where we have been hurt, begin the repair.
A question to sit with
What is one small, specific kindness you could offer your spouse this week without being asked?
Try Selah
Tell Selah what tonight actually feels like, and it will help you find relevant passages for this moment.
Open the Selah verse finder